If they've installed the light for security reasons maybe they could add a motion detector.

You could also think about getting a BB or pellt gun....

I agree that you should talk to them first. Tell them how important the darkness was to you, and maybe they would be willing to compromise. I feel the same way out here in the country. We've lived here for 23 years, and have never had a security light, or any other kind of light that's left on all the time. Fortunately, when the neighbors get lights, it's pretty far away.
Find out the regulations for your area, then talk to them. Try honey first......then vinegar. If they won't budge, could you possibly decide where you like to sit the most, and only put up a barrier in that area?
Maybe they will compromise and let you have darkness on certain days? Surely there's a compromise in here somewhere. But I do understand your disappointment. Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

If you talk to them and they don't listen, they'll know it's you with the BB gun... *grin*

If the street light has a globe around it maybe you could get then to paint the side that faces your property black.

That should keep the light from shinning on your side yet allow light to the opposite side of the paint.....might work.

sd

sierra don, that's a great idea!!! I vote for that option!

Good luck!

I had a new home built 5 years ago which i have since sold.
My neighbor garage was on the side of his home which faced our bedroom our first night there our bedroom was like daylight Mr.neighbor had a commercial sodium light he said for security.On at dusk off at dawn,we pleaded with him to correct this his reply was you should have looked at the lot at night before you purchased it.No local rules in place. he was a local cop,so we sold it to some undesireable people the first month the police ramed the front door in (drug Raid)they had the money so i sold them the house& i made $52,000 profit in 1 year This was an upscale neighborhood with houses valued fr.200,000 This was my way of getting even with the s.o.b what goes around comes around.By the way the light is still there.

We had the same situation in our last house. We lived about a 1/2 mile from a highway in the country in a small neighborhood with about 11 houses. Beautiful dark nights.
Then came the highway sign an advertiser placed next to the highway. Bam there goes the night sky. Nothing but the glow from all those lights beaming in the sky.

Now next door, same house. Our neighbor had 3 dogs they kept in a 20x20 pin that they never let out. About 150ft from our bedroom windows. Let me tell you, unhappy dogs stuck outside do howl at night. And no the neighbor would do nothing about it.

Although we did shoot of allot of fireworks until late at night around the 4th of July...

We moved to a farm, father out, no neighbors, no lights unless I turn them on.

My advise, Move. BTW they built a trailer park just down the road and now the folks that still live there can't sell their houses. What goes around comes around.

If it were me, I would get a pellet gun and go out early one morning.....

or

You could find a person someone to cut the power off.

"Plants are a wonderful part of life and keep the peace around us."

Hmmmm....

Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. This world is not all happy and wonderful like some people think.

You could just live with it. Right!

How close are they?
I would talk to them first then if that did not work I would check local laws.
If that failed then that seems to me that it would open the door to let you put up a spot light that shined right back at them.
You know the kind one of those big coon hunting kind that will light their house inside.
Just because you live next to some one doesnÂt mean you have to like them.

Worth

If the light is one of those miserable lights that I've heard called "barn" lights or NEMA lights, there are a number of shields that can be put on them to keep the light from searing your eyeballs. Several companies make them and shields for other types of outdoor lights too.

I have a neighbor whose father put up her lights with metal lines attached to the pole on four sides. You can't even get near these 24ft poles to put on shields. I've joined a group to change the laws to protect property rights of people who don't want outdoor lights shinning on their property. Poorly designed outdoor lighting wastes money, reduces safety and security, produces hazardous glare, diminishes property values, irritates neighbors, robs many people of their ability to drive at night and injures the health of animals and plants.

I agree, always try to talk first. You never know, it might work. Ok, it probably won't simply because a considerate neighbor would have thought things out before installing, taking his neighbors' rights into account first.

Clearly, that didn't happen.

So, like mentioned, check laws for your area (bi-laws?).

Here's some things to ask when you call your town hall (city hall??):

- first, is it even permitted to errect a light standard?

- if so, maximum height?

- allowable distance from neighboring property lines

- ask about laws concerning the "Reasonable enjoyment" of your property. In other words, what are the remedies for when a person is interfering with YOUR enjoyment of your property. A bright light IS a problem.

- if this guy installed it himself, you may want to ask the township if that's allowed, or if it MUST be done by a licenced electrician and be registered with the town OR inspected.

- if it needs to be inspected and was not, then *cough* ask the town to have an inspector pay the neighbor a visit.
If inspectors are anything like here, it could end up causing this idiot more trouble than it's worth.

Hope you find a resolution to your peace and quiet. :)

I would go the bamboo route. I did this about thirteen years ago and I have never been sorry. I now have total privacy on that side, am still friendly with the neighbors, and love the bamboo in the wind and snow. They mowe it on their side and we do on ours and that takes care of it.

Caution: IF you plant bamboo or put up a tall (like over 6') fence, be prepared for the neighbhor to come to YOU and complain or have the "authorities" challenge your "solution" to the problem.

My guess is the neighbhor thinks he/she is doing YOU a favor with the light, but will think you are harming them with the fence or bamboo screen.

That kind of thinking is a first cousin to the "gotta be safe and put a big lights" mentality.

I had this, but moved before dealing with it.
Talk to them. Ask for a lower wattage + one with a shield. Offer to pay if needed. It's pricelss.
The shield needs to block light going up too, otherwise you lose the stars too.

My old neighbours light came on when it sensed it was dark, someone suggested setting up a laser pointer, supposedly that'd keep it off.

And, last case, purchase a strobe light. Make sure it is aimed at their living room or bedrooms.

But talk to your town office first, maybe there's a bylaw.

try this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbt3Ih8yAcI&NR=1&feature=fvwp